Oil-converting apparatus



May 15, 1923.

J. H. ADAMS OIL CONVERTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 29, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Supp/y Tim/r Converter W 6 m a wade/75er- L i quid 007/8050)" WI NESSES:

INVENTOR May 15, 1923. 1,455,377

. J. H. ADAMS OIL CONVERTING APPARATUS Fild Dec. 29, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W/T/VESSES: G v IAIl/E/VTOR 0 1 I r l May 15, 1923.

J. H. ADAMS OIL CONVERTING APPARATUS Filed De'c. 29, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 15, 1923.

J. H. ADAMS OIL CONVERTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 29, 1'91? .5 Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESSES INVENTOR May 15, 1923.

J. H. ADAMS OIL CONVERTING APPARATUS Filed Dec 29 1917 Sheet 5 lA/l/E/VTOR WITNESSES Patented May 15, 1923.

JOSEPH H. ADAMS, OF FLA'IBUSH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, A. CORPORATION OF TEXAS.

OIL-CONVERTING APPARATUS.

Application filed December 29, 1917. Serial No. 209,476.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ,JosEPH H. ADAMS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at' Flatbush. in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Oil-Converting Apparatus for the Conversion and Transformation of Oils, and of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvement in apparatus for converting oils and liquids, more especially oils of the hydro-carbon group into products of lower specific gravities and boiling points for the purpose of obtaining from inexpensive heavy oils lighter ils such as naphthas; gasolenes, ben- .zines, benzol, toluoland other light oils and oily spirits of both the plain and aromatic series by a process disclosed and claimed in my co-pending ap lication filed of even date herewith Serial 0. 209,475. 7

One object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive means of internally applying heat under easy control to oils in atomized -or finely divided form for the purpose of altering their physical and chemical characteristics to a predetermined extent.

Another object within the contemplation of this invention is to devise an apparatus which will not only facilitate the conversion f heavy and high boiling oils, such as kerosene, gas oil and other non-viscous neutral oils, into'lighter oils and oily spirits but which will do so under conditions of continuous -operation thereby eliminating undesirable interruptions and other features prevalent in many types of so-called oil conversion apparatus;

This invention in general seeks to provide an apparatus particularly adapted for cracking and transforming oils according to my process heretofore referred to, which, from an operative standpoint, will in practical usage, possess a high degree of efficiency and durability, and which, structurally considered, will be of the greatest possible simplicity in mechanical construction.- Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in the following description. The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

The pressure on the vapors in the converter are self-generated from the expansion of heated oil sprayed in mist like or vaporous form in possible combination with hightemperature super-heated steam both of which are forced into the enclosed mixing and expansion chamber of the converter and rise in converted vapors and pass through the condenser preferably in open communi cation with the converter withmeans for controllingthe discharge from the condenser or running trap tank located at the foot of or beyond the condensing coils, so as to regulate the predetermined super-atmospheric pressure in'the system.

In order that this invention may be the more fully understood and made comprehensible to others skilled in the art, drawings electric heater and its relation to the cylindrical shell of the converter 0.

Fig. 4, is a perspective View of theelectric'heater drawn to a larger scale and show- .ing the structural details of the device.

Fig. 5, is a similar view of a modified structure embodying a double row of heating elements and showing how they are related.

Fig. 6, is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of a modified form of apparatus which also constitutes an embodiment of my invention and which is arrangedvfor the application of external heat, and

Fig. 7 is the front elevation of a battery of oil converting units showing the arrangement of a series of units for continuouscominercial operation.

Referring to Fig. 1, A, represents a suitable supply tank which serves as a source of the'oil to be converted. Oil may be admitted into this tank by means of a supply pipe 1, controlled by valve 2, and Withdrawn through apipe 5, and forced by compressed air into the converter C, being controlled in its flow by precision valves 6. The height of oil in the supply tank A, can be seen in glass gauge 7, and should an air pressure bemaintained over the surface of oil in the supply tank A, to force it into the converter C, against a back or vapor pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure, then the pressure gauge 8, at the top of tank A, will indicate such pressure. An air pipe 3, can be-connected into the tank A, and controlled by valve 4, which pipe may be connected with an air compressor or other meansof air pressure for furnishing ,the required pressure over the surface ofoil in the tank A.

Inasmuch as it is desired to conserve heat ener y as much as possible in this apparatusand ring the inflowing oil nearly to a vaporizing point the comparatively cold oil owing through the pipe 5 is. preferably caused to pass through an oil pre-heater B, and thus be raised in temperature before passing into the oil converting receptacle C.

This pre-heater B, may comprise any suitable type of liquid heater but preferably pro vides a continuously rising coil 9, connected with the outlet pipe 10, which pipe is located at the top so that any air bubbles may read-.

ily escape and not form air locks in such preheating coil. The source of heat for said pre-heater ma consist. of anyheatsupplying means suc as burner 85.

The drawin shows one of the many diverse forms which the converter C, may assume within the contemplation of this invention and such converter here shown comprises a closed retort or enclosure C surmounted by a cylindrical expansion and vapor separating dome D, provided with perforated baflie plates. The oil supply pipe 10, in this form leadsinto the up er part of the retort section C, which section forms the lower part of the converter and separator C-D, and is connected .to the upper part, or vapor dome D, by means of the neck 11.

Within the converter C, and located near the bottom,'a heating rid of resistance elements 12, is supported upon insulators 13, and this heater or grid is supplied with energ from a source of electric current throu h cab cs +14: and 15, which pass through t e 1 bottom 16, of the converting chamber or retort C.

The oil admitted to the converter through pipe 10, is broken into spray or mist through sprinkler nozzles 17 and sieve 18, before coming intocontact with or in closev proximity to the electrically heated grid 12,

' which is maintained at a temperature sumciently intense to convert and transform the the product sought. The apparatus is made to withstand relatively high temperatures and a superatmospheric pressure of 50 lbs.

per square inch and upwards. The object of this apparatus is to render low boiling pro-v ducts from high boiling oils, and it is opposed to. the production of large volumes of fixed gases' From the top of the expansion and vapor dome D, an'outlet pipe 19, is provided .to lead out the light converted vapors and any fixed gases which may be'generated during the process. This pipe connects into a vertical duct 20, whichin turn leads to a condenser E, the coils 21,011 which are in free communication with the converter as well as with a running trap tank F, by'means' of pipe 22, located at thefoot of or beyondthe condenser, and in which" tank fixed ases and condensed vapors in. the form of istillates are collected.

From this collecting tank F, fixed gases are.withdrawn through pipe 23, controlled by Volvo 24, and pressures in the system are recorded on gauge 25, located at the top of this tank. Liquid distillates are withdrawn from the bottom of the tank through pipe 26, controlledby valve 27 and the height of oil in this tankcanbe observed by means of glass gauge 28, while the withdrawn gases may be collected in as holder as H, of which 29, is the sliding rum or movablefdome converter, will naturally iall into; the trap 30, and when oil rises therein to the height ,of the overflow pipe 32, it will flow into the hot oil overflow tank G, freely connected with the trap 30, by means of the pipe 32.

While the process is in operation, any heavy unconverted oily vapors mechanically carried over with the lighter vapors through pipe 19, and into plpe 20, will fall-in i e 20 pass through pipes 20" and 32, an he trapped in the tank G.

By means of less gauges 33, located on tank G, the heig t of oil may be observed,

and when it is desired to remove this oil through pipe 34 controlled by valve 35, the pump 36, can be operated to withdraw it and return the same to tank A, through pipe 37,

for re-treatment.

In practice, the application of heat to the oily spray, while undergoing conversion, eX-

pands it and 'causes vapor pressure in all converter C, vapor dome D, condenser E,

gas and liquid tank Fand also in the trap 30 and hot oil overflow tank G.

As a feature of safety in this high pressure system the blow off or release pop valve 60, is preferably located at a distance away from the converter, usually above the condensing coils 21, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7. The valve will release any sudden or excessive pressure above the pro-determined number of pounds to the square inch necessary to assist in bringing about the desired conversion.

In the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 2,

A, represents the main supply tank from which oil is supplied to the apparatus. This tank can be filled through pipe 1 controlled by valve 2, and the oil is withdrawn through pipe 5, and forced by compressed air or by means of pump 38, through the pro-heater B, and into the converter C, being controlled in its flow by precision valve 6. The height of oil in thissupply tank can be seen in gauge glasses 7, and should air pressure be maintained over the surface of oil in the supply tank A, to force it into the converter CD, the pressure gauge 8, at the top of tank A, will indicate such pressure, and an air pipe 3 controlled by valve 4, may be connected to the top of the supply tank A,

which pipe may lead to a source of compressed air, otherwise the oil is withdrawn from the tank and forced into the converter C, through pre-heater B, by means of the pump-38.

This drawing shows another of the many diverse forms which the converter 0-D, may assume, and such converter here shown comprises a closed retort C, containlng a heater 12, oil sprayer 17, protecting and confining sheath 39, sieve 18 and the neces-" sary inlets and outlets for the continuous operation of the process. 'Within this converter C--D and near the bottom, a grid of resistance elements 12, is located and supported on insulators 13, while above it and within the sheath 39, there is placed a sieve 18, for the breaking up of oily spray into finer sprays or vapors. Above this sieve and near the top of the enclosedconverter a pipe 10, is provided with a sprinkling system composed of spray jets 17, at its top inner end and located in such a position that oil sprayed from the jets will fall within the cone or sheath 39, to and through the sieve 18, and in close proximity to the electric heater 12.

The oil supply pipe 10, in this form of converter leads mto the. upper part of the.

retort section C, to the spray nozzles 17 and previous to its entry, the oil is brought to elevated temperatures in the pro-heater B,

in which coils of heating tubes are located and subjected to elevated temperatures by any economical means of heat. The oil so admitted is broken into a spray or mist through sprinklers 17, and any undivided particles of oil will be further broken up as it passes through sieve 18, before reaching the heater 12. some of the unconverted oil driven into vaporous form by the intense heati rises through neck 11, into expansion and ivapor' dome D, where the-heavier vapors in part come in contact with the perforated baflie .plates 40, are condensed and drop back to the bottom of the dome D, and which, by

- means of the dished bottom, are led through neck 11, to a collar 41, from which the drip to the outside of the sheath 39, an flow down the outer surface of this sheath toward the intensely heated zone where the oil may be transformed into lighter oily vapors.

The lighter converted parts of the vapors escaping through the perforations in the b 'lcfizated at the foot of or beyond the con- 20, and which may condense in the pipes. can

flow down through pipe 20', into the cham ber 30, or tank G, and be returned to the system for re-treatment as before,

Fixed gases generated during the operation of this apparatus are collected also in tankF,- and can be withdrawn from time to time intermittently. or continuously released by means of pipe 23 regulated by valve 24, and the vapor pressure in the system, which have to be kept at a uniform number of pounds to the square inch for best results, can be recorded on gauge 25.

Distillates are withdrawn from the bottom of the tank F, through pipe 26, controlled by valve 27, and the height ofoil in the tank can be observed in glass gauge 28. When such distillate is removed from the The converted spray and a the converter, to which'it is connected by means of a neck 31.

Carbon and other residues formed dur ng the operation of the apparatus, and which collect at the bottom of the converter, will naturally fall or be swept into trap 30, andwhen oil rises to the height of the overflow pipe 32, it will flow into the hot oil tank: G. Glass sight gauges 33, located onthis' tank will show the height of oil, and when it is necessary'to remove this oil to make room for that which is continuously flowingin, the pump 36, can be operated to withdraw oil through pipe 34 controlled byvalve 35, and return it to tank A, through pipe 37 for ire-treatment.

In addition to maintaining compressed air over the surface of the oil in tank A, for delivering it into the system and as a'means instrumental for delivering the raw oil from tank A, into the converter C-D, through pre-heater B, the pump 38, is operated at any speed desired to maintain a constant and steady flow, but as it would not be possible to so rapidly pass all of theoil through the system that the pump would draw and force, it is necessary to return a certain porsuperheated to a temperature of from 800 tion of the oil to the tank A. This is accomplished by closing the valve 44, so-that the oil maybe drawn through pipe 5, by the pump 38, and forced into the converter through the precision valves 6, and any oil not admitted into the converter fiows up through pipe 45, and passes through an enclosed pop or release valve 46, and by means of the'upper part of pipe 37, is returned to the tank A.

If, for instance, a back or vapor pressure of seventy-five pounds'to the square inch is maintained in the system and it is desired to force oil into the converter throughpump 38, itiis necessary to set the release valve 46, at 90 to 100 pounds to the square inch so that theoil can be forced against a check set at a higher pressure than that maintained in the system, and in this manner itis not necessary to operate the pump at any particularspeed for any excess oil above the quantity admitted into the system through the precision valves 6,is,' by this means, returned to the original supply tank.

In the commercial operation of my process heretofore referred to in an apparatus of this nature it may here be pointed out that when operating u on certain classes of oils, that is-the more vo atile oils, it is highly desirable to localize the a plication of the intense internal, or possib e external, heat so as to prevent the spread of the heat in a esser? It is also desirable to treat the oil as rap- I idly and thoroughly as possible and not to drive over and through the condenser any more of the un-converted vapors of oils than is absolutely unavoidable. To this end I have provided a sheath 39, which confines the supplied oily spray and which spray -must pass down and out from the bottom of the sheath before it can-rise in vaporous orgaseous form into the upper part of the converter C, and into the dome D. The spaces below the lower edge of the sheath 39, and

the heater 12, permits the escape and rise of both converted and un-converted vapors, as

indicated by the arrows, into the expansion and vapor separating dome D, where the heavier vapors are dephlegmated and drop back into the converter C, for re-treatment.

As an added feature of importance in this method and apparatus for oily vapor transformation l. may also employ super-heated steam which is injected at elevated temperatunes into the body of the oily vapors undergoing treatment, through pipe 56, controlled by Valve 57 and admitted in finely divided streams through jets 58.

The steam is generated and preferablyto 1,000 F. outside the apparatus but is introducedwithin the sheath39, for the purpose of assisting conversion,hydrogenating the transformed vapors and taking off some of the carbon residue from the process and out of this apparatus in the form of carbondioxid, carbon-monoxide and other fixed gases. v 1

Th construction of the grid or electric heater can be quite clearly seen in Fig. 3, where the heating elements are alternately oined at their ends by heavy connecting links, thus enabling electric current to flow from one to another, and this form of grid permits of an otherwise long stri or rod of resistance material being con ned in 'a small area. This grid rests on insulators 13, of soapstone, porcelain or other suitable material and is somewhat elevated above the bottom of the retort to prevent contact with any parts of the container or carbon fractions which may split off and drop from the electrodes The structural details of this electric heater as made up from a series of carbon rods is quite clearly shown in Fig. 4i, and the electric current flows in through cable +14: and passes successively throughthe resistance rods which, are screw threaded at their opposim ends to engage clamp nuts such as 6'3" and 68. The current passes through the resistance rod 65, then across are constructed of like resistance members they will be evenly and equally heated by such current. Furthermore, by controlling the electric current, these rods or electrodes may be maintained at any pre-determined temperature even though completely submerged in oil. This constitutes a feature of the greatest importance in my invention.

Inasmuch as the precise degree of temperature at which the electric heater should be maintained will be dependent upon and will vary with the particular conditions, I may state that the temperature will, in practice, ordinarily vary from a high black heat to incandescence, according to the fluid treated.

When operating in this manner it has been observed that only a part of the vapors coming in close proximity to the heater are actually converted for the reason that the conduction of heat is suflicient to evaporate a certain portion at a lowertemperature than is requisite for the cracking of the oil. Accordingly, the vapors passing into the dome will be composed not only of the oily vapors which have been converted bythe breaking up of its molecules by the high heat, but will contain, as well, a certain proportion ofthe original oil. The separation of the lighter from the heavier is therefore the object of the separating dome D.

The drawing Fig. 5, represents an end view of a heater showing a double row of resistance rods the upper tier alternating with the spaces between the rods in the lower tier so that a uniform radiation of heat can be had. The rods are broken in this drawing just beyond the links as the attachment and arrangement of links at the opposite ends will be understood by the drawings Figs. 3 and 4. l

As heretofore described, the current passing in through feeder cable +14, terminal 66, rod 65 then through rods 70, 72 and so on to the end of the grid will then return through the resistance rods and links of the upper tier as 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 and so on to the end where the current will flow out through cable 15 as described. In these double tiers it is necessary to separate and hold securely the two lines of rods and this is best done by inserting orcelain tubes between the tiers at their en s or clam ing mica links as 80, under the nuts 81, w ich:

hold the links and the ends of the rods securely in place. This latter method revents the accumulation of any articles 0 carbon which 'may fall from t e electrodes and which might cause a short circuit and in the construction of the heater and assembling of the parts these mica links are easily placed in position and held by the nuts securing the rods in the desired position.

Referring now to F ig. 6, it will-be seen that all of the principal parts of apparatus here shown resemble those shown in Fig. 2, and are (o-related for the purpose heretofore described. The heater and heating means, however, are different, the heat being applied externally to the bottom of a dished plate or disk near which the .oily spray is transformed and converted into vapors of dis-similar nature.

I The supply tank A, verter C--D, condenser re-heater B, conand trap tank F,

as well as the hot oil overflow tank G, are.

all arranged about as shown in the ap aratus of Figs. 1 and 2, but in carrying o the surplus unconverted oil a different means has been adoptedas will be described. I

To provide an economical means of heat where electric current is not available or is too high in cost for commercial usage, the dished plate 47, is attached to the lower part of the shell of the converter C, by means of bolts drawn against a heat and hot oil proof gasket of asbestos or other suitable material. The converter C, is mounted above a furnace J, constructed of suitable fire brick and provided with a bridge wall 48,'against which the elements of combustion are projected from a burner 49. The heat from suchcombustion rises to the top of the furnace and heats the plate 47, to cracking temperature so that the oily vapors or sprays from the jets 17, must come in close proximity to this highly heated surface before escaping into the dome D.

The heat so generated must ,rise and heat the plate 47, from the under side before it can flow down and out through the flue 50, of the stack 51, which stack is provided with damper 52, for the purpose of properly regulating the heat held within the urnace and duct 63, is provided to lead the gases of combustion above the apparatus.

In order to provide a means for the wcape of unconverted oil which might accumulate at the lower part of converter 0, in the valley around the outer part of the plate'47,

'andbelow the crowned part, pipe 53, is proapplied source of heat to bring about the desired results.

The battery of converters shown in Fig. 7 illustrate a commercial installation of units for carrying on my process and while there are but three units shown in this drawing, any number of such units may be arranged in batteries, each unit leading into the main vapor duct 54, leading to'the condenser or condensers E.

A feature of importance in the arrangement of a number of units in a battery as shown, is in the fact that through the vapor line, or other equalizing pipe or pipes as 59, all of the units carry the same uniform vapor pressure, for by such duct andthe pipes 19 and 20, as well as the descending pipes 55, the pressure in each unit is compensated or equalized one with another and in this manner, while one furnace may be slightly hotter than another, the pressure maintained over the oil in the converters and in the vapors being condensed is the same in all of the units comprising such a system, then also, should it be necessary to make repairs or shut down any one of the units this can be done by closing the oil supply valve and the vapor line valve as well as the hot oil overflow line valve and the unit. needing attention can be taken care of without disturbing the continuous operation of the other units comprising the system.

The inflowing oil to the converters being preferably pre-heated is led through pipe 61, and controlled at its entry into each converter by valves, as 62', with which an accurate delivery of? oil can be made instead of having one valve to control the entire inlet system.-

. in view of the foregoing disclosure, it will be obvious to those skilledin the art that my apparatus may be operated with different base materials and with different fluids from those specifically referred to, by various steps, and with the assistance of different apparatus withouthowever, departing from the scope of my invention. and accordingly I intend that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.

I desire it also to be understood that the language adopted in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the herein described invention and all statements of the scope there- .of which as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my, invention what I claim and desire to. secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In an oil treating apparatus, the combination with means for spraying oil in atomized or finely divided form into a closed chamber under pressure, means disposed outside said chamber for preheating the oil atomized or finely divided form against a back pressure intov a closed chamber, means disposed outside said chamber for preheating the oil to a comparatively high temperature below vaporization, a heatng member within the closed chamber against which the oil spray is projected, said heating member being maintained at a cracking temperature, and means for condensing the cracked vapors under superat-mospheric pressure.

3. An apparatus of the nature disclosed comprising in combination a converting chamber, a bell-shaped sheath mounted in said chamber leaving spaces between it and the walls of the chamber, means for spray ing oil downwardly in fine streams within said sheath under pressure, a heater below said sheath against which said sprayed-oil is directed, pipe connection at the top of said converter to carry away vapors and gases, pipe connection at the bottom for carrying away residue and liquid products in said converter, and means for maintaining pressure in said converter.

4:. An apparatus of the nature disclosed comprising in combination a converting chamber, a bell shaped sheath mounted in said chamber leaving spaces between it and the walls of the chamber, means-for spraying oil downwardly in fine streams within said sheath under pressure, a perforated screen in said sheath below said spraying means through which said sprayed oil passes.

5. An apparatus of the naturedisclosed comprising incombination a converting chamber, a bell shaped sheath mounted in said chamber leaving spaces between it and.

the walls of the chamber, means for spraying oil downwardly in fine streams within said sheath under pressure. a heater below said sheath against which said sprayed oil is directed, an expansion dome for vapors above said converter, a pipe connection be tween the bottom of said dome and the top of said converter the parts being so arranged that material condensing in said dome will flow back into said converter, means for taking off and condensing the vapors in said dome, means for collecting and conveying away condensed liquid at the bottom of said converter and means for maintaining superatmospheric pressure in said converter and dome. a

6. An apparatusoi the nature disclosed comprising in combination a converting chamber, a bell shaped sheath mounted in said chamber leaving spaces between itand the walls of the chamber, means for spraying oil downwardly in fine streams within said sheath under pressure, a heater below said sheath against which said sprayed oil is directed, an expansion dome for vapors above said converter, baflie' plates in said dome, a pipe connection between the bottom of said dome and the top of said converter the parts being so arranged that material condensing in saiddome will flow back into said converter, means for taking off and condensing-the vapors in said dome, means for collecting and conveying away concondensed liquid at the bottom of said converterv and means for maintaining superatmospheric pressure in said converter and doine.

7. An apparatus of the nature disclosed comprising in combination a converting chamber, means for continuously supplying oil to said chamber under pressure, means for preheating the oil before it enters said chamber, means for causing saidoil to be discharged downwardly in numerous finely divided streams within said chamber, a heating member towards and against which said streams are discharged, means for maintaining said heating member at such temperature as to vaporize and convert the oil streams, a vapor expansion dome above said chamber connected thereto whereby material condensed in said d'ome will return to said chamber, means: for drawmg ofi material from the bottom of the chamber, means for maintaining vapor pressure 1n said chamber and dome and'means for taking 03 and condensing the vapors in said dome,

'8. An apparatus ofthe nature dlsclosed comprising in combination a converting chamber, 'means for continuously supplying oil to said chamber t llldel pressure means for preheating the oil-beforc it 'enters said chamber, means for cansing said oil to be discharged downwardly in numerous finely divided streams within said chamber, a heating member towards and against which said streams are discharged, means for'maintaining said heating member atsuch temperature as to vaporize and convert the oil,'a vapor expansion dome above said chamberconnected thereto whereby material condensed in said dome will return to said chamber, means for drawing ofi material from the" bottom of the chamber, a condenser freely connected with said dome, and means for maintaining substantially the same superatmospheric. vapor pressure in said converter dome and to and through the condenser.

9. An apparatus of the nature disclosed comprising in combination a converting chamber, means for continuously supplying comprising oil to said chamber under pressure, means for preheating the oil before it enters said chamber, means for causing said oil to be discharged downwardly in numerous finely divided streams within said chamber, a heat-' ing member towards and against which said streams are discharged, means for maintaining said heating member at such temperature as to vaporize and convert, the oil, a vapor expansion dome above said chamber connectedthereto whereby material condensed in said dome will return to said chamber, means for drawing off material from the bottom of the chamber, a condenser freely connected with said dome, means between said dome and condenser for collecting and removing from the converted vapors the unconverted portions and means for maintaining substantially uniform 'superatmospheric vapor pressure throughout the system to and including the condenser. I

10. An apparatus of the nature disclosedin combination a converting chamber, means for continuously'supplying oil to. said chamber under pressure, means for causing said oil to be discharged in jet form in said chamber, a heating member towards and against which said jets are dis-' charged, means for maintaining said memher at such temperature as to vaporize and convert the oil, pipe connection leading from the bottom of said chamber and a trap tank into which it discharges, an enlarged vapor dome above and connected to said chamber, a condenser in free and open connection with said dome, means for separating the unconverted material from" the" converted vapors between said dome and condenser and for conveying the unconverted material to said trap tank and means for maintaining substantially the same superatmos pheric pressure in all of said'parts including the condenser.

11. An apparatus. of the'nature disclosed comprising in combination a converting chamber, va bell-shaped sheath mounted in the chamber leaving spaces between it and the walls thereof, means for spraying oil downwardly in fine streams within said sheath under pressure, and a heater disposed beneath said sheath and maintained at a cracking temperature for converting the sprayed oil,

12, An apparatus of the ature disclosed comprising in combination a pressure chamsaid chamber, means for spraying super-' heated steam downwardly therein and mixing it with the sprayed oil, means for locally confining the mixture and directing its flow,

and heating means maintained at a crack ing temperature disposed below said confining and directing means for convertingthe sprayed oil.

14.,An apparatus of the nature disclosedcomprising in combination a series of pressure units severally comprising lower cracking chambers and upper vapor-separating tures for converting the oil sprayed therein,

means for removing the evolvedvapors from the vapor-separat ng chambers, and means for establishing free and open communication between the upper vapor separating chambers to equalize the vapor pressures developedin the several units.'

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. l 1

JOSEPH H. ADAMS Witnesses:

A, CAPBTICK, JOEL S. DE SEIDING. 

